What are the differences between National V and National VI?
3 Answers
National V and National VI both refer to emission standards, with the following main differences: 1. Sulfur content: The maximum sulfur content for National VI standard gasoline is 50mg/kg, while for National V standard gasoline it is 10mg/kg. 2. Implementation time: The National VI standard was implemented in 2014, whereas the National V standard was implemented in 2017. 3. Particulate matter quantity: Compared to National VI, National V gasoline vehicles have a 25% stricter limit on nitrogen oxides, and diesel vehicles have a 28% stricter limit on nitrogen oxides.
I remember encountering the issue of China 5 and China 6 emission standards when choosing a car. The China 6 standard is much stricter than China 5, with emission limits nearly halved, and stronger controls on particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, making vehicles more environmentally friendly. Technically, China 6 vehicles are equipped with a Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) device, which may be prone to clogging and require cleaning, adding some maintenance hassle but reducing pollution. For drivers, China 6 vehicles may have slightly better fuel consumption, faster response, and a slightly higher price, around 5% more. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, China 6 vehicles enjoy looser licensing and traffic restriction rules, while China 5 vehicles face more restrictions. When buying a car, it's important to check whether it meets China 6a or 6b standards, with 6b being the truly stringent one suitable for future standards. Overall, choosing China 6 is more sustainable, and it's not advisable to opt for older China 5 models just to save money.
In my repair experience, I've encountered many emission issues with China 5 and China 6 vehicles. After the China 6 standard upgrade, manufacturers were mandated to install GPF systems, which frequently clog the exhaust pipes causing warning lights to activate. Repairing this can cost anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand yuan, which is quite troublesome, whereas China 5 vehicles don't have this problem. In terms of emission testing, China 6 uses RDE (Real Driving Emissions) cycles that better reflect actual road conditions, unlike China 5's laboratory tests which were easier to manipulate. Technically, engine calibration is also more precise in China 6 vehicles, resulting in lower failure rates. In the used car market, China 5 vehicles depreciate faster due to urban entry restrictions. They are simpler to maintain but have poorer environmental performance. China 6 vehicles retain their value better despite higher initial costs. For long-term use, I recommend choosing China 6 to avoid headaches.
